+. SKIP GRAVES Skip Graves started in radio in 1953 with “Uncle Tom Williams” on WDXI in Jackson, Tennessee. Carl Perkins, Ramsey Kearney ,Wallace Doss were also on the same Saturday morning program, along with several other singers and musicians. From there, Skip went to WIRJ on Humboldt, Tennessee where he had a program and also started out as a DJ. Bob Prather, a DJ on WIRJ was contacted by a talent scout with King Records, who was looking for talent to sign with their label. Skip made a demo and Bob sent it to King Records in Cincinnati. They liked the demo and sent a recording contract, but Skip was unable to record because of illness on the session date. Due to other circumstances, they were unable to get together for another recording date. Skip recorded his first record in Cleveland, Ohio in 1960 with a great musician: Stoney Dodson. Stoney played all the instruments on the session and Skip arranged the music. The songs were: “Indian Giver With Your Love” and “Heartaches Knocking On My Door.” The record is a collectors item and has been released by labels overseas. Skip moved to Southern California in 1962 where he played shows and clubs and was a disc jockey on KWOW Radio(it was called (K-WOW) in Pomona. He later went to work with KCIN Radio in Victorville. The first record he recorded in California was “If I’m A Fool For Leaving.” Wynn Stewart produced it at Bob Summers studio in El Monte in 1962. Carl West played steel and Phil Baugh played guitar. Probably Bobby George played bass and can’t remember who else was on the session. Skip met Little Jimmy Dickens while working at KWOW in Pomona and Jimmy recorded 3 of Skip’s songs on his hit album: “May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose.” Jimmy is co-writer on the 3 songs. Jimmy pitched “If I’m A Fool For Leaving” to Gene Watson. It has been released on 5 albums and cds, as well as on singles, by Gene. It has been recorded by several major artists world-wide. :”Credit Cards” was also recorded in Hollywood and produced by Wynn Stewart. Bob Morris (member of the Champs who recorded the hit song “Tequila”) arranged and played lead guitar on the session. Bobby George(co-writer with Vern Stovall on the song: “Long Black Limousine”) played bass. I can’t be too sure who was on steel (maybe Carl West). Norm Whistler played fiddle, Neal “Tywhop” Jones played rhythm guitar and can’t remember the drummer. The song was co-written by Al Minto who owned Stadium Records. (the label it was released on). “You Let The Horse Out Of The Barn” was also recorded in Hollywood and produced by Wynn Stewart using part of Merle Haggard’s band (The Strangers). Earl Poole Ball who was with the Johnny Cash Show and a producer for Capitol Records played piano. Neal “Tywhop” Jones played guitar. “Our Love’s Going Nowhere,” “Too Much In Love To Leave,” and “Living With A Dying Love,” were recorded in Nashville. Musicians on the session were: Doug Jernigan-steel guitar, Fred Newell-lead guitar, Hoot Hester-fiddle, Little Willie Rainsford-piano and can’t recall who played drums. “Love Country, Nothing And You, I Pulled Through With Flying Colors and You’re Gone For Good were recorded at “Music City Recorders” in 1969. The musicians were: Lloyd Green-steel guitar, Fred Carter Junior-lead guitar, Hargus Robbins-piano, Joe Zinkin- up-right bass. I can’t remember who played drums or rhythm guitar. Joe Gibson produced the session. All songs were written by Skip Graves and some had co-writers: Living With A Dying Love--Skip Graves and Tom Starkey, Credit Cards--Skip Graves And Al Minto, You’re Gone For Good--Skip Graves and Walt Rayburn and If I’m A Fool For Leaving-- Skip Graves and Little Jimmy Dickens.